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Louisiana · Fishing
Ferriday sits in Concordia Parish, where the old Mississippi floodplain left behind a string of oxbow lakes that hold fish year-round.
3 spotsUpdated dailyFree to access
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Ferriday sits in Concordia Parish, where the old Mississippi floodplain left behind a string of oxbow lakes that hold fish year-round. The three lakes covered on this page — Shanty Lake, Lake Concordia, and Blue Lake — are all classic Louisiana oxbows: shallow, warm, and heavy with aquatic vegetation that gives largemouth bass and bream somewhere to hide and breed. Lake Concordia is the largest and most accessible of the three, with a public boat launch that handles most trailer sizes without much hassle. Shanty Lake and Blue Lake are smaller and quieter, which tends to mean less pressure and fish that haven't seen as many lures. None of these are tailwater fisheries or stocked trout waters — this is warm-water fishing, and the species list reflects that: largemouth bass, crappie, bluegill, catfish, and the occasional sac-a-lait run in spring. If you're driving in from outside the parish, the fishing here rewards patience and local knowledge more than expensive gear. A simple spinning rod, live bream, or a soft-plastic crawfish imitation will cover most situations across all three lakes.
All three lakes are warm-water oxbows, so the core species are largemouth bass, bluegill, crappie (locally called sac-a-lait), and channel or flathead catfish. Crappie fishing picks up noticeably in late winter and early spring when fish move shallow to spawn, and bass fishing is most consistent from March through May and again in the fall.
Yes. Any angler 16 or older needs a valid Louisiana recreational fishing license to fish Shanty Lake, Lake Concordia, or Blue Lake. Louisiana licenses are available online through the LDWF website or at local sporting goods retailers. Check the current LDWF regulations for any size or bag limits on bass and crappie before you go, as these can be updated seasonally.
Blue Lake
~5 min drive
A worthwhile stop near LA.
Natchez State Park Lake
~29 min drive
Easy
Shanty Lake
~8 min drive
A worthwhile stop near LA.
Lake Bruin State Park Fishing Pier
~33 min drive
Easy
Lake Concordia
~10 min drive
A worthwhile stop near LA.
Brooks Lake
~19 min drive
A worthwhile stop near LA.
Big Blue Hole
~20 min drive
A worthwhile stop near LA.
Guthrie Lake
~21 min drive
A worthwhile stop near LA.
Gorton Chute
~24 min drive
A worthwhile stop near LA.
Long Lake
~33 min drive
A worthwhile stop near LA.
Lake Formosa
~37 min drive
A worthwhile stop near LA.
Black River Lake
~38 min drive
A worthwhile stop near LA.
Also worth it near here
Early morning is the most productive window, especially for bass, from roughly first light until about 9 a.m. In summer, water temperatures climb fast and fish go deep or inactive by mid-morning. Late afternoon into dusk is the second-best window. Midday fishing in July and August is generally slow across all three lakes.
Bank access varies by lake. Lake Concordia has the most developed public access, including a boat ramp. Shanty Lake and Blue Lake are smaller and may have limited formal bank access depending on surrounding land ownership, so it's worth confirming access points locally before you make the drive. A kayak or small jon boat opens up all three lakes considerably.
Yes, particularly for bluegill and crappie fishing, which doesn't require specialized technique or expensive gear. A cane pole or light spinning rod with a small hook and live crickets or worms will catch fish consistently on these lakes. The calm, flat water of oxbow lakes is also easier to navigate for newer boaters than river fishing on the Mississippi.
